Those products will be replaced with organic alternatives in cartoon-free packaging.

What have they got against Dora the Explorer and Big Bird?

“Marketing to children is wrong and should be illegal,” said Scott Nash, founder and chief executive officer of the 10-store chain based in Rockville, Md., in a news release announcing the ban.

“Advertising is a shady game. It focuses on creating a shallow emotional attachment instead of pointing out the merits of a product. Unfortunately, it works — and young children are particularly susceptible.”

Nash had this epiphany after his 3-year-old begged for breakfast cereal because it had Clifford the Big Red Dog on the box.

I’m the mother of a 4-year-old and I can relate to this battle.

But marketing to kids is wrong and should be illegal?

Little appetite

Maybe I don’t want my son lured in by Chester Cheetah on a bag of Cheetos, or SpongeBob-branded Pop Tarts, but I also have no trouble with the word “no,” especially in the supermarket.

I also understand parents who want to keep the marketing messages away from their children’s food. Many of my friends don’t let their children watch TV, don’t buy branded character toys or clothing and try to keep their commercialism to a minimum. I’m sure they’d be ecstatic to hear about this move.

And you know what, when my son went on a carb jag and wouldn’t eat anything but bread and butter, I got desperate and turned to Disney.

We ate some Goofy grape-flavored sliced apples, no matter how much my inner apple snob was crying because she thinks apples are tasty enough on their own. Phineas and Ferb guided us back to some healthful foods, and it was great.

About the Author:

Pamela Riemenschneider, Editor

Pamela Riemenschneider has been with The Packer Newspaper for the past 11 years, and editor of sister publication Produce Retailer Magazine since 2009. During her time with Farm Journal Media, she’s traveled all over North America and Europe visiting grocery operations, from single-store fruit stands to national chain supermarkets. She focuses on retail and consumer trends, packaging, new products and in-store operations to help retailers build exceptional produce categories. She also produces a video series from her Austin, Texas, home, “Pamela’s Kitchen,” where she does first-hand reviews of new products, often featuring her two sons, Ike and Uli.